Crowdfunding
Ongoing coverage on Crowdfunding.
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Inside GoFundMe: how a donation site became America’s unofficial safety net
GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan discusses the company's business model, highlighting that medical bills are its largest revenue driver globally, even in countries with nationalized healthcare. Despite operating on a voluntary tipping system for consumer fundraisers, the platform has seen significant growth in brand awareness and user engagement, particularly since 2020. Cadogan also touches on operational challenges during the pandemic, the role of AI in fundraising, and the company's stance on lobbying against policies that could reduce reliance on crowdfunding.
'The Guild' movie revival becomes highest-funded Kickstarter film ever, filling me with millennial nostalgia…
The Guild: Ren Faire'd, a revival of the web series about MMO players, has become the highest-funded film on Kickstarter, raising over $6.8 million. Creator Felicia Day expressed gratitude for the community's support in making the movie a reality. The project aims for a 2027 release, continuing the story of the Knights of Good.
Double Fine låter fans rösta fram deras nästa spel
Double Fine is reviving its Amnesia Fortnight game jam event, allowing fans to vote on four ideas that will be prototyped. The winning concept will be developed into a full, albeit smaller, game. This initiative follows Double Fine's recent independence from Xbox and will include a documentary and Kickstarter campaign.
MMO Week in Review: Way too early access
This week's MMO news covers the early access launch of Stars Reach, which some consider premature. Other highlights include a look at Guild Wars 3's Kodan, Daybreak's acquisition of Cold Iron Studios, new content for EverQuest Legends, and an analysis of the survival game Stormforge. The article also touches on various other MMO updates, rumors, and industry discussions.
The Guild: Ren Faire’d closes its record-breaking Kickstarter with over $6.8M raised by backers
The crowdfunding campaign for the web series reunion film 'The Guild: Ren Faire'd' has concluded, raising over $6.8 million and becoming the number one movie Kickstarter of all time. The successful drive funded numerous stretch goals, including a board game show, new music videos, and an animated short, with backers receiving digital copies of the film.
The newly independent Psychonauts dev now earns all the revenue when you buy games it made under Xbox: 'Buying any…
Double Fine has become an independent studio again after leaving Microsoft's Xbox Game Studios, regaining full publishing rights and revenue for its past games. CEO Tim Schafer confirmed the transition, noting that sales now directly support the studio as it pitches new projects. The studio is also launching a Kickstarter for its Amnesia Fortnight game jam and teased updates for its game Kiln.
Free from Xbox, Double Fine returns to Kickstarter to ask fans what its next "small" game should be
Double Fine Productions, now independent from Xbox, is launching a Kickstarter campaign for "Amnesia Fortnight 2026." This project will involve a two-week game jam where backers can vote on which of the studio's ideas will be developed into prototypes and potentially a new small game. The process will be documented by 2 Player Productions, and CEO Tim Schafer confirmed the studio has regained publishing rights to its intellectual property.
Genki’s Manta Controller Packs A Small Mountain Of Features Into A Single Gamepad
Genki has launched a new controller, the Manta, which features a 2.9-inch LCD screen for customization and an array of advanced hardware. The controller's Kickstarter campaign has surpassed its $100,000 goal, reaching over $371,000. It will be compatible with PC and Nintendo Switch consoles and includes features like adjustable triggers, drift-resistant analog sticks, and advanced haptics.
Job Simulator: Human Relations refunds Kickstarter backers after receiving investment
Developer FarBridge has canceled the Kickstarter campaign for Job Simulator: Human Relations and will refund all backers due to receiving an investment from Enduring Games. CEO Patrick Curry stated the investment makes the crowdfunding unnecessary, though the campaign page will remain active for updates. The game will be a 4-player co-op, flat-screen experience on Steam, moving away from VR, and will still feature playtesting for player feedback.
"The most ambitious product we've ever built" - Genki is crowdfunding a Steam Controller killer with TMR sticks, an on-board display with its own OS, an 8K polling rate, and mouse and keyboard functionality
Gaming accessory brand Genki has launched a Kickstarter campaign for the Genki Manta, a new controller featuring TMR sticks, an on-board display with its own OS, adjustable tension, and mouse and keyboard functionality. The controller aims to compete with the Steam Controller and offers advanced features like Maglev Haptics and face buttons that sense full travel. It is slated for support on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and mobile platforms.
Games Inbox: How much disruption will GTA 6 launch cause?
Readers discuss the potential disruption caused by the Grand Theft Auto 6 launch, comparing it to Pokémon Go and anticipating media coverage. Other topics include the success of recent Star Wars games, competition between publishers like Activision and EA, the Amiga retro scene, the high cost of Star Citizen, concerns about Bethesda's game development quality post-layoffs, and the secrecy surrounding Nintendo's Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake.
Raph Koster’s Kickstarted sandbox MMORPG Stars Reach officially enters early access today
Stars Reach, the sandbox MMORPG spearheaded by veteran developer Raph Koster, has officially entered early access today. Developed by Playable Worlds, the game offers deep social, political, and crafting content with a focus on player-driven world transformation. The early access period will last at least six months, with a progression wipe planned before the 1.0 launch, which will be free-to-play.
Star Citizen stream lifts veil on the $1 billion crowdfunded game's buggy state after 14 years in development, and neither devs nor fans seem impressed: "Such a s*** show"
Star Citizen, a crowdfunded space game in development for 14 years by Cloud Imperium Games, is facing renewed criticism following a recent livestream that showcased numerous bugs and development issues. The stream, featuring a private build, highlighted significant problems, leading to disappointment among both developers and the game's backers, with many expressing concerns about the project's future and the substantial funds raised.
Disastrous Star Citizen stream is the cringiest thing you'll see today
A recent livestream for the crowdfunded game Star Citizen, developed by Cloud Imperium Games, has been widely criticized for its embarrassing display of bugs and internal team tension. The stream, intended to showcase an upcoming mission, instead highlighted the game's technical issues and an uncomfortable work environment, drawing negative attention from the community and content creators.
Star Citizen has a disastrously laggy stream with horrendous vibes, which isn't a great look when you're past…
Star Citizen's recent development stream for the Siege of Orison event was plagued by severe lag, desync issues, and unprofessional behavior from developers, leading to community backlash. The game, which has been in development for over a decade and crowdfunded over $1 billion, continues to face criticism for its prolonged early access period and functional problems despite high-priced in-game purchases.
Leakers suggest Chronicles of Elyria boss is working on ElyriaMUD and income generation
Leaked messages suggest that Jeromy Walsh, a key figure at Soulbound Studios, is actively developing ElyriaMUD, a spin-off of the troubled MMORPG Chronicles of Elyria. The leaked communications indicate plans to monetize ElyriaMUD and potentially license the Chronicles of Elyria IP for a mobile game, despite the original MMO's troubled development history and ongoing skepticism from former backers.
Make My MMO: Stars Reach’s imminent early access, Book of Travels’ farewell
Stars Reach, an MMORPG developed by Raph Koster and Playable Worlds, is launching into early access soon, with Kickstarter backers able to collect their keys. Meanwhile, the tiny MMO Book of Travels has sunsetted its multiplayer version and is now available as a single-player game. The article also provides updates on various other crowdfunded MMO projects, highlighting both successes and failures in the genre.
Star Citizen tentatively lists planet generation updates, new sandbox missions, and new gear for alpha 4.11
Cloud Imperium Games has tentatively outlined planned features for Star Citizen's Alpha 4.11, including procedural world generation tools, NPC population management, and new sandbox missions. The update also plans to introduce a new heavy combat armor set, weapons, and a unique Aegis Tiburon variant. Star Citizen, originally crowdfunded in 2012, continues development in alpha and has raised over $1 billion.
Job Simulator Is Finally Giving Your VR Headset The Day Off
FarBridge has announced Job Simulator: Human Relations, a co-op VR game that expands the Job Simulator universe. The game is seeking crowdfunding via a Kickstarter campaign to raise $150,000 for development. This new title will allow up to four players to work together, navigating virtual workplaces and appeasing robot overlords.
Lord of the Rings fans need to try this tabletop RPG, especially now it's getting a beginner-friendly update
The One Ring tabletop RPG is receiving a significant update and new expansions, including a beginner-friendly core rulebook revamp and campaign books set in Gondor and Rohan. These updates, revealed via a Backerkit crowdfunding campaign, will also feature Dungeons & Dragons-compatible versions. Developer Free League is confident in the new content, building on the success of their previous acclaimed tabletop games.
